Temple Grandin.......

As the Kids & Dreams Foundation continues to spread awareness during April and Autism Awareness Month, we have wanted to introduce you all to some well-known individuals that are on the spectrum. Well, one of the most notable individuals with autism is Temple Grandin. She was diagnosed with autism in 1949 at two years old. According to her website, she did not speak until she was three and a half years old. With the help of great teachers and family members, she was able to graduate from a school for gifted children and went on to get a bachelors degree in psychology. Temple also received a doctorate degree in animal science.

She is a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University. The university calls her "the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world." In 2010, a movie called "Temple Grandin" was produced about her life starring Claire Danes. If you haven't seen this movie...it is a MUST watch! She has went on to write numerous books about autism and has spent her life working to improve the treatment of animals and brining awareness to autism. The foundation hopes to get Temple to attend one of our Autism Conferences in the near future as our keynote speaker. She has done so much to bring awareness to autism.......I hope my foundation can do half of what she has contributed to help the children and families experiencing autism.

She wrote in her book, Emergence: Labeled Autistic: "I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that 'once autistic, always autistic.' This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can."

Thank you Temple for all you have done for Autism Awareness! We truly appreciate it.

Some individuals with ASD have other symptoms that may include:

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity (acting without thinking)

Short attention span

Aggression

Causing self injury

Temper tantrums

Unusual eating and sleeping habits

Unusual mood and emotional reactions

Lack of fear or more fear than expected

Unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look or feel

Again, our goal this month is to continue to spread awareness with facts, symptoms, behaviors and let everyone know that there is hope as seen in these incredible individuals that we have posted about so far in April. Together we WILL make a difference! That is why our Autism Conference in October is so important to us as we hope to provide a variety of options and resources to families in hopes that one of those will help their child progress and do great things! Continue to DREAM BIG!